Advanced Everyday English

 Selected Advanced Everyday English Words and Phrases

1) To Back Down

To back down (To withdraw an argument or demand)

Examples:

Off the record, I think the sponsors are going to back down
over how Wembley Stadium should be laid out.

I really don’t know how to go about getting them to back
down. I’ll just have to keep going on at them and hope the
message eventually gets through.

2) To Pre-empt

To pre-empt (To take action in anticipation of an event, to prevent something happening—note the word “pre-emptive ”, which is used to describe an attack or military strike made against an enemy’s [or potential enemy’s] weapons, communications, transport, etc. before they can be used)

Examples:

A: It’s really down to you to pre-empt another fiasco at

head office.

B: Why me? Any suggestions I make are made a mockery of.

The Government should have pre-empted the unrest that

was brought about by its policy of allowing unlimited immigration

into the country.

Officially, Israel’s pre-emptive strike against Iraq’s nuclear

installations did not comply with international regulations, but,

off the record, most governments were grateful that a clear

future threat had been nipped in the bud.

3)To Huddle

To huddle, huddled To keep close together, often for warmth or because of fear, [huddled] kept close together

Examples:

As the cold nights drew in, the Jones family often found themselves

huddling around the fire.

The only stumbling block remaining was what the troops would

do with the many refugees they had found huddled together under

makeshift tents.

4) Cue

Cue (A signal for action, something said or done by an actor that tells another actor that it is his turn to speak or do something—note the expression “on cue ”, which means on time. It is used to express the idea of something happening when one thought it might.

Examples:

Writing off his wife’s car was the final straw: that was his cue

to stop driving.

When she started to disrupt the party, that was our cue to

leave. The horrible “music” was doing my head in anyway.

One actor to another:

When I stick out my leg, that’s your cue to waffle on about

your illness.

The outlook seemed quite promising until I noticed some dark

clouds overhead... and then, right on cue, it started pouring

with rain . I can’t get my head round English weather at all.

5) Cram 1

To cram

i. To study intensively for an exam, usually at the last minute

Examples:

You’ll have to put it tactfully to Mrs. Smith, but unless her

son crams for this exam, he doesn’t stand a chance of getting

through. He’s left it a bit late.

There’s always a frenzy o f activity just before exams. Our students

tend to cram, many of them doing nothing during the rest of the

year... but those ones get their comeuppance.

Cram 2

ii. To pack things or people into a small space

Examples:

Sorry to butt in, but there are more than twenty fans crammed

into the entrance hall, waiting to see you.

I felt a bit uneasy having to cram £2,000 into my top pocket. I didn't relish the idea of travelling on the underground like that.

6) To Be Under No Illusions

To be under no illusions To know and understand what is really happening instead of imagining how things could be, to be realistic

Examples:

Don’t worry, I’m under no illusions: I know that meeting

my mother will bring out the worst in him. I’m dreading it.

Let me make it clear: were acting under no illusions.We are

quite aware that, by and large, our competitors have cornered

the market.